On 29 July 2025, an OSCE seminar on ‘Youth Negotiation on Climate, Security and Co-operation’ was held in Ashgabat, attended by about 35 students from leading universities in Turkmenistan. The event was organised by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat as part of its support for UNICEF Youth Climate Summer School 2025. This was reported by the IIC. During the seminar, participants studied OSCE environmental initiatives and discussed the integration of a gender perspective into the organisation's strategy. Special attention was paid to the role of Central Asian youth in global negotiations on climate and water security. Finalists of the OSCE Young Women 4 Peace Initiative programme shared their experiences of participating in climate diplomacy. At the end of the seminar, participants drafted a youth statement to be included in the National Youth Statement for COP30. The event was attended by students from leading universities in the country, including the Institute of International Relations of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan and the International Oil and Gas University.
On 29 July 2025, a bright cultural event took place in Tokyo - a children's drawing competition dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust. The event, organised by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in partnership with the Japanese Children's Council ‘Fujisan Chidama’, brought together young artists and their mentors. This was reported by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. Before the start of the creative competition, participants were shown a presentation about Turkmenistan, revealing the country's rich cultural heritage, unique natural attractions and main directions of state policy. The children were interested to learn about the activities of the President of Turkmenistan and the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty. Inspired by the knowledge they gained, the young participants created works of art reflecting their vision of peace and trust between peoples. At the end of the competition, all children received letters of appreciation, and the winners were presented with commemorative gifts. The event culminated in a tasting of Turkmen cuisine, which allowed the Japanese guests to learn more about the cultural traditions of Turkmenistan. This event was another step towards strengthening cultural ties between Turkmenistan and Japan, as well as promoting the ideas of peace and mutual understanding among the younger generation.
From 22 to 24 July, a specialised training seminar for futsal referees and inspectors was held in Tursunzade, organised by the Football Federation of Tajikistan. The lead trainer for the event was Turkmen expert Vadim Baratov from the Asian Football Confederation. This was reported by IIC. During the three-day training, 24 Tajik specialists (20 referees and 4 inspectors) studied in detail the latest changes to the futsal rules approved by FIFA. Particular attention was paid to analysing complex game moments and controversial situations that often arise during matches. Intensive classes were held twice a day, which allowed for the most comprehensive coverage of all aspects of modern refereeing. The seminar not only helped to improve the professional level of Tajik referees, but also strengthened cooperation between football experts from Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.
The eighth meeting of the intergovernmental commission between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan was a significant step in the development of bilateral relations. At the meeting in Baku, which was jointly held by Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev and Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov, the parties discussed prospects for deepening cooperation in the trade and economic sphere. This was reported by the IIC. Particular attention was paid to the development of investment cooperation - today, 75 companies with Turkmen capital are successfully operating in Azerbaijan. The energy sector also remains an important area of partnership, where the parties see significant potential for joint projects. Transport cooperation has reached a new level due to the active use of the East-West and Middle corridors. Last year alone, the volume of cargo transportation between the countries exceeded 2 million tonnes, and this year continues to show steady growth. Following the meeting, a protocol was signed to consolidate agreements on further development of cooperation in trade, energy, transport and other key sectors.
On 25 July, the Turkmen-Japanese Business Forum was held at the National Pavilion of Turkmenistan at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two countries. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Participants discussed cooperation in the fields of high technology, the digital economy, energy and transport. The parties exchanged initiatives to create conditions for Japanese companies to enter the Turkmen market and jointly implement innovations. The forum contributes to the development of economic ties in the Central Asian region.
In Turkmenistan, as part of the state digitalisation programme, an interdepartmental electronic data exchange system based on the Estonian X-Road platform has been launched. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. 10 ministries and departments, as well as 12 state electronic services, are connected to the system. The project is being implemented under an agreement between the Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan and UNDP. The contractor is the Estonian company ‘Nortal AS’. The X-Road platform, installed on the basis of the telecommunications company ‘Turkmentelecom’, complies with cybersecurity standards. Security servers have been deployed for its operation. As part of the project, 75 specialists have been trained in the platform, network technologies and programming languages, and all have received certificates. The system simplifies data exchange between agencies, expands access to public services and contributes to the development of the ‘e-government system’.
The Turkmenistan national team won second place overall at the Central Asian Classical Chess Championship for boys and girls in 12 categories up to 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 years old, which took place from 20 to 29 July in Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyzstan). This was reported by the news agency Orient. Despite its modest line-up of only 15 participants, the Turkmen team achieved high results, winning 6 medals: 2 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze. This allowed Turkmenistan to outperform the teams from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, losing only to Uzbekistan, whose chess players won 16 awards. The President of the Turkmenistan Chess Federation, Vepa Malikgulyev, noted that this success reflects qualitative changes in the system of training young chess players and a focus on achieving high results not only in individual but also in team competitions at international tournaments.
On 28 July, Kyrgyz entrepreneurs in the foreign market concluded a deal with Turkmen business partners for the purchase of jeans. This was reported by the press service of the SCRMET. As a result of the tender, one deal was concluded for a total amount of 1.479 million US dollars.
A delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Ovezov Velimyrat, Head of the culture department of the Magtymguly Youth Organisation, is participating in the International Youth Forum - Dialogue of Youth Leaders for Peace of the CPAFFC in Beijing. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. At the first session of the forum on 28 July, dedicated to the theme ‘Consensus for Peace: The Voices of Global South Youth Amid Protracted and Escalating Geopolitical Conflicts,’ CPAFFC Chairman Yang Wanming and Myanmar Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Jeng Phang Naw Tawng delivered speeches. Participants discussed the contribution of young people to overcoming geopolitical challenges and promoting sustainable development. The programme of the Turkmen delegation's visit includes cultural and educational events, as well as trips to various regions of China.
On 26 July, a festive reception dedicated to the gastronomic traditions of the Turkmen people was held at the National Pavilion of Turkmenistan at the EXPO 2025 World Exhibition in Osaka. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The event was held under the slogan ‘Turkmen Dastarhan.’ Guests were given the opportunity to taste national dishes, including traditional pastries, palav (pilaf), and dograma. The cultural programme included a cooking master class on how to prepare dograma, during which participants learned about the subtleties of Turkmen cuisine.
Turkmen swimmers David Akopian and Aynur Primova have begun competing at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. In the 100-metre backstroke, A. Primova took second place in her preliminary heat, setting a new personal best (1 minute 08.05 seconds), but finished 51st out of 56 participants in the final standings. D. Akopian also came second in his 50-metre butterfly heat with a time of 25.66 seconds, finishing 69th out of 97 participants. The Turkmenistan team will continue its performances on 30 July: A. Primova will compete in the 50-metre backstroke, Akopian in the 200-metre medley. They will be joined by Musa Zhalayev, who will compete in the 100-metre freestyle. On 31 July, Anastasia Morginshtern will make her debut in the competition, entered in the 100-metre freestyle. On 1 August, M. Zhalayev will compete in the 50-metre freestyle, and on 2 August, A. Morginshtern will close the tournament for the Turkmenistan national team with a swim in the same distance.
Employees at the Seydi Oil Refinery are demonstrating high production results: the volume of raw materials processed increased by 22% compared to the same period last year and amounted to almost 270,000 tonnes. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The plant produces petroleum products in high demand, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bitumen and others. More than 1,800 specialists contribute to the consistent operation of the plant. Great attention is paid to social issues: employees receive support for health, recreation and housing. A new residential building for plant workers is being built in the city of Seydi, which will house 24 families.